Melton Truck Lines driver Sammie Phillips has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) after stopping to help four young adults involved in an SUV rollover crash near Lexington, Kentucky.
Phillips witnessed the crash at approximately 8:10 a.m. on August 14, when the SUV lost control and rolled several times before coming to rest on its passenger side. He immediately activated his truck’s emergency lights, pulled over and ran toward the overturned vehicle to check on its occupants.
With the SUV resting on its side, reaching those inside was difficult. Phillips climbed onto the vehicle and attempted to open one of its doors to reach the passengers.
“I saw them flip over right in front of me. I stopped my truck and I just ran and jumped on top of that car trying to get them out,” Phillips recalled.
Two of the four occupants told Phillips they were injured, while the other two had suffered scrapes and bruises. He remained with the group until law enforcement arrived and assisted in getting them out of the SUV.
Rather than leaving once emergency responders reached the scene, Phillips stayed to provide information to the officers and offer additional assistance.
Reflecting on his decision to stop, Phillips said he had thought about how he would want someone to respond if his own family were involved in a similar situation.
“What if that was one of my family members?” he said. “I’d want somebody to stop.”
TCA recognized Phillips through its Highway Angel program, which honors professional truck drivers who assist others during emergencies and demonstrate exceptional acts of kindness while on the road.
The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.
Last Updated: October 15, 2026
Source: Truckers News
Image Source: TCA
